Animals in schools

The development and administration of an assisted breeding program requires the input of a veterinarian or suitably qualified and experienced technician. If the teacher or farm assistant wishes to demonstrate the collection of semen and/or artificial insemination to students, they must first seek approval from the SACEC to demonstrate these category five activities. This approval is conditional upon the operator being able to demonstrate appropriate qualifications and experience.

If the teacher wishes to allow students to watch a veterinarian or registered technician demonstrate the collection of semen and/or artificial insemination to students, they do not need to seek approval from the SACEC. The SACEC considers the veterinarian or registered technician is suitably qualified and experienced to demonstrate best practice.

A high success rate in artificial insemination is generally only achieved by an experienced and qualified operator.

The timing of joining or insemination should be managed to align with feed availability for the does and kids, and to reduce the weather risks for kids. Management practices should minimise the stress on does to reduce pregnancy toxaemia and other metabolic diseases. Kidding does should be placed in sheltered paddocks, with quality feed and should be monitored but with minimal disturbance.

Goats and kids are often predated upon by dogs and foxes. The risk of predation must be reduced by using appropriate strategies that may include:

• Fencing with upgraded security such as increased height, foot netting dug into the ground or electrification
• Using a guard animal, e.g. alpaca(s) to live with the does and kids
• Shedding does and kids
• Carrying out a baiting program in conjunction with the Local Land Services
• Moving does and kids to more secure locations